The Latest: Rauner Downplays Legislative Veto Defeats

Gov. Bruce Rauner is downplaying defeats in the just-ended legislative session where lawmakers voted to nix most of the Rauner vetoes they attempted to override.

The Republican told reporters Thursday that it doesn't signal a defection by GOP lawmakers a year before Rauner faces re-election. He says it means "the battle to get a better future for the people of Illinois is going to be ongoing and difficult."

Republicans in the General Assembly helped majority Democrats in most cases to overturn vetoes on key issues such as monthly reporting of incoming debts, a bill of rights for students borrowing money for college, and easier access to life-insurance benefits for survivors.

The first-term governor did win a victory when lawmakers failed to override his veto of legislation prohibiting local governments from setting up "right-to-work" zones immune from union influence.